I know this map is easy and not the best. It is my first map that I have submitted and hopefully won't be my last. I am working on other maps (hopefully better). Please rate and include comments so I may update the map.
The Story:
T.E. Lawrence is about to perform the crowing achievement of his career. Lawrence of Arabia has crossed the Nefu Desert (believed uncrossable) with 50 men. He hires the local Bedions to help him take Aqaba who though only an atack from the sea was inevitable.
Firstly Lurchalot is wrong, because the author put this in the correct type. Its not a skirmish (multi-player map). Its not an economic, or a castle builder, so it would be posted under invasions. If you are talking about the tag (economic - coins; or invasion - crossed swords) then you are still wrong - because this is definately not a economic scenario. It is also a crusader map not a stronghold 1 map, so it is correctly posted. Lurchalot is wrong.
Playability: 4
This is a complete map and it is fun. Its not a 3 hour long series of invasions (common). But a 'attack the castle' with many opposing troops out front, that dont really have a chance against horsearchers. I took off because the quarries on the left side of the castle didnt get worked. There are alot of fire ballistas and spearmen out front, which kill horses quite easily. So that fight was hard, but with horsearcher manuverability, I took them out. Then you have towers with ballistas and archers, but with careful shooting and moving - you can assault each one separately. If you take the high ground near the castle, then you can flank and get a easy victory. If you wanted to take on the right side, its a series of strong points with a water barrier too. The catapults and trebuchets are a non-threat.
Balance: 3
I gave this a three, because the front fight is tough - but I cleaned up with the 150 starting horsearchers. I only used the horse knights to break down the left side gatehouse, and then about 10 knights to kill the king. Less starting troops and a tougher fight (street to street fighting) inside would move this up to a 4 or 5.
Creativity: 4.5
At first I was thinking mid range for creativity, but there are some original bunkers on here to take a look at. There are sone trebuchet bunkers that look professional. Good Map!
Map Design: 4
Whenever you start a castle with patrolling troops and dont really have a computer AI playing them, its hard to make it a challenge. This one does a pretty good job at using the aggressive setting to make the troops attack, with just a little fakiness. The swordsmen on top of the keep just stood there. Also there are alot of engineers standing around (up in towers?) and they are easily killed. But its fun and I gave it a four, a possible five if it was just a little more polished.
Story/Instructions: 3.5
Basic story with good detail.
Additional Comments:
All around good map, and I would like to tell the first time author that you did a good job and made a cool map. Dont let Lurchalot mess with you, he doesnt submit maps so he really cant say anything unless he submits his own work and then lets other people pick it apart (like he does). Good original work and keep them coming!